The Dangers of Titanium

Titanium was discovered in 1791 by William Gregor, an amateur geologist, and then again, independently in 1791 by M.H. Klaproth. In fact, the metal was originally called "klaproth," after the German chemist. Klaproth eventually renamed the metal "titanium," after the Titans, the mythological first sons of the Earth.

What is Titanium?

Titanium (atomic number: 22, element symbol: Ti) is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and it is found naturally in the minerals Ilmenite, Sphene and Rutile. It's also prevalent in iron ores, Titaniferous magnetite and Titanite. It is a very strong metal which is resistant to corrosive acids and therefore used in the manufacture of many types of alloys.

Titanium is used in many applications where the heat resistance, lightweight and non-corrosive properties can be utilized to their fullest. Some of those applications include the motors found on airplanes, bone pins and heat exchangers. Recently, it has been used in the making of watches and other fine jewelry as well as in many different types of sports equipment like tennis rackets and golf clubs.

Because titanium itself is non-toxic and not rejected by the body, it is used in the medical field as a solution for many kinds of implants like hip or joint replacements.

Titanium compounds are also used in a variety of products. For instance, Titanium dioxide is used in rubber, paper and paints and Titanium oxide is also used in paint. Titanium tetrachloride is not a naturally occuring titanium compound. This man-made titanium compound can turn immediately into hydrochloric acid if it comes into contact with water.

How am I Exposed to Titanium?

As stated earlier, titanium is one of the more common elements found in the Earth's crust, therefore, the general population comes into contact with it quite frequently through our water, food and air supplies. Of course, individuals who work in a processing plant or refinery where titanium is mined or processed have a higher probability of being exposed to titanium on a much larger scale.

What are the Symptoms of Titanium Exposure?

The natural source of titanium is not toxic to the body, so whatever amount of the element we take into our bodies naturally, we can usually get rid of without it causing distress.

Titanium compounds, on the other hand, can provide a number of health risks. For instance, titanium tetrachloride is extremely irritating to the skin and inhaling enough of it can cause severe lung damage to the point of death. In laboratory tests, rats that breathed titanium tetrachloride over the course of two years were found to have developed tumors in their lungs. Even with that evidence, titanium tetrachloride has not been classified as a human carcinogen by the EPA, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Titanium dioxide is a popular color additive in many well-known brands of toothpaste, cosmetic products and medicines, but strangely enough, it is considered to be a possible carcinogen. Another popular titanium compound used in tool bits and cutting tools, titanium carbide, can cause a severe cough and sore throat if its particles are inhaled.

How do I Test Myself for Titanium Exposure?

With many variations of titanium compounds, some of them are detectable in laboratory tests and some of them are not. Titanium tetrachloride is a titanium compound that is not able to be tested medically, but there are laboratory tests available to determine the levels of titanium dioxide or metallic titanium in the body.

The test is conducted by using an electron microscope to examine the tissues of the lung. If titanium particles are discovered, then it is determined that you were exposed to a substance containing titanium. Unfortunately, the test is unable to indicate which titanium compound you were exposed to or what the expected health implications will be.

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